Little Snippets #6
Whale Tales & Tails
Nature Diary: Whales on my Radar
I mentioned in another recent piece that this whale migration season has been touted by researchers, amateur spotters and boaties alike as one of the busiest since Humpback and Southern Right Whale numbers have recovered along the East and West Coasts of Australia.
At the start of the season, May/June it seemed as though I was spotting Humpback almost every day for weeks on end (to my absolute delight). That was followed by a lull during August. It likely wasn’t a lull in whale activity but rather a lull in my observation. Last weekend though, the whales reappeared, at least on my radar. We watched from a local vantage point as a humpback repeatedly slapped the water with its tail, creating huge splashes visible several hundred metres from the shore. Meanwhile, several hundred metres south another whale was busy breaching repeatedly. My guess was there was some fervent conversation afoot or atail.
Along our coastline, we see these magnificent creatures navigate by enormous shipping vessels and those two whales we watched were in the foreground of two such ships. A strange and disconcerting juxtaposition. We live close to a significant industrial port, known for coal exports and container shipping. In an attempt to transition to green energy, it has been proposed that an international company be granted permission to install a substantial wind farm along the already very busy stretch of coastline. Between the whales, the ships and recreational fishing it’s becoming something of an oceanic autobahn. People are justifiably concerned because their whale migration paths are already compromised by shipping leading to injuries death and stress in humpbacks and other cetaceans. Research on ocean wind farms and their impact on wildlife is limited.
This got me thinking about whales and their significance in the ocean and over the last few days I’ve done a deep dive on whale-specific listening and reading including the links above. The podcasts below offer incredible stories and educational insights. The compound effect of listening to all three gave me another level of awe in these creatures that I wasn’t sure was possible, if you nerd out on wildlife, prepare to be wowed.
This is a fascinating insight into all aspects of sustainability as it relates to our oceans. Of particular interest, whale poo, rice husks and a plan to save our seas. Great insights and commentary from Irish science communicator, journalist and ocean lover, Olive Heffernan, whose book, ‘The High Seas’ is due to be released in Spring 2024 (Europe), on the subject of ocean sustainability.
Truthfully this is a difficult listen. The otherwise brilliant Radio Lab storytelling approach falls short for this particular story and the narrative is confusing at times. That said it is still well worth a listen because the stories about potentially altruistic Humpback whales and their encounters with Killer Whales are utterly fascinating
This podcast is an in-depth interview with Nan Hauser, a seasoned marine biologist and whale researcher who has worked with Humpback Whale populations in the South Pacific for decades. This recording covers some of the in-depth science of how Humpbacks contribute to carbon capturing. Some stats to whet the palette Whales have the capacity to absorb an average of 33 tons of CO2 over their lifetimes. When they die their carcasses descend to the ocean's depths, where they become submerged carbon reservoirs for centuries. In contrast, a tree can only sequester a mere 48 pounds of this greenhouse gas in a single year. Consider my mind blown.
This is a short video on the incredible story from Nan Hauser (from the podcast above) and her life-saving Humpback encounter.
In lieu of some pretty awful iphone whale videos, check out Craig Parry who is an award-winning Australian nature, adventure and documentary photographer and has captured some of the most beautiful images of Humpbacks along the East Coast and South Pacific.
Natures notes is proudly written on and inspired by Dharawal Country. I recognise the Dharawal & Wodi Wodi custodians and ancestors who have an enduring connection to land, water and skies.
Always Was and Always Will be Aboriginal Land.
Amazing information and links